Making a simple cider/wine press

Written by Blacksmith

This press is based on a design featured in the “Smallholder” magazine September 2000.

The press comprises four main elements, the frame, the screw assembly, the basket and the tray.

Cider press frame

The frame can be made from any suitable 4”x 2” prepared timber, pine or green oak being the most popular. The drawing shows the construction and basic dimensions.

The frame is held together with M12 coach bolts, the end stabilisers are held on with M10 coach screws.<

Cider press screw assembly

This assembly comprises a threaded bar, nut, attachment plate, pressure plate and tommy bar. A suitable screw is available from Axminster power tools (details in parts list). To attach this to the frame an adaptor plate is required.

Cider press basket and tray

The basket is made from hardwood strips and three metal bands (stainless steel is best but painted mild steel does the job). Held together with short woodscrews, this assembly contains the chopped apples (wrapped in an old net curtain); the gaps allow the juice to run into the tray. Any tray may be used, but bearing in mind the force being applied from above it will need to be fairly substantial, at least 30mm thick base, the sides can be thinner, an angular hole drilled to take a short length of plastic hose completes the job.